I M M O B I L I S M | a labor of love lost and found (2010-2020)

I wrote these words a long time ago.

- sometimes drivers remember stops for passengers, negotiate where they drop them off ("bnazlak 3al jesser btenzal mashe") or "ah bta3ref inta wen ya3ne")

In 1994, Parliament more than tripled the number of red plates, to provide more jobs in a floundering economy.This decision flooded the market supply, increasing on-street competition. This served to worsen working conditions and income for commercial drivers. Ministry of Environment (MOE). Sets emissions standards to curb environmental damage; in the transportation sector, this focuses on air pollution. Standards are enforced for all vehicles. In the summer of 2002, the MOE implemented further regulation on taxi and service vehicles forbidding the use of diesel engines and limiting the age of vehicles. Ministry of Finance (MOF). Develops and implements all taxation regulations, including fuel and value-added taxes. The direct impact on transportation is apparent in the cost of fuel, and vehicle and parts imports. The MOF also provides the funding for infrastructure projects. Municipalities and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MOMRA). Municipalities are responsible for the roads within the municipal borders. The MOMRA supervises the elected municipal councils. Councils are elected by citizens registered in the municipality; their family’s town of origin not necessarily their primary residence. However, the Municipality of Beirut the Municipal Council [sic] has no implementation or enforcement powers; it makes recommendations to the Governor of Beirut, who is appointed by the Minister of Interior. The Greater Beirut Metropolitan Area consists of 53 Municipalities located within the Governorates of Beirut and Mount Lebanon. Ministry of Industry and Petroleum (MIP). Controls the quantity of petroleum imports into the country, including the proportions of fuel types, import and distribution licenses, and fuel prices. This directly affects the costs of public transportation provision. Council of Development and Reconstruction (CDR). Performs central planning and coordination of reconstruction efforts, including preparation, financing, and implementation. It is housed within the office of the Prime Minister.“(xxx)

With the adoption of more formal practices in these less formal bus routes, the bus ticket showed itself to be more than just a mediator between drivers and passengers: the ticket became as a means of controlling and accounting for a new and diverse labour force from afar. In addition to regular ticket inspections, new driver-employees are accounted for in 'pass the baton' style checkpoints: drivers receive a certain mark on a piece of paper as written confirmation that they have passed through a certain location before moving on. This practice is now common on many routes, whether or not tickets are issues to passengers.

I wrote these words in secret, after dark, a long time ago. I hesitated when writing these words.